“Renewal of contract” TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ready to push out their direct senior BTS with the decision “Our goal is No. 1 on Billboard” (Comprehensive) [DA现场]

[DongA.com Reporter Jung Hee-yeon]

A good example of an idol group with staying power. TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), who easily surpassed the so-called "7-year curse" and announced their contract renewal early on, have made a comeback with a new album. They have repeatedly expressed their affection for the members and the team, promising, "We will keep going for a long time and promote happily."

On the afternoon of the 13th, TOMORROW X TOGETHER met the press at the media showcase for the release of their 8th mini album, "7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused for a Moment in the Thornbush," held at Hwa Jeong Gymnasium at Korea University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. They performed the title track, "One More Day (Stick With You)," and took part in a Q&A session.

That day, Soobin said, "We are here with a new album. Since this is our first album after renewing our contract, it feels especially meaningful. We will show you a great side of ourselves," expressing his determination. Yeonjun said, "Since this is our first comeback after renewal, we prepared hard with the mindset of debuting again. I'm really looking forward to how you'll receive it. We'll work hard, so please watch us warmly," while Taehyun added, "As we always have over the past seven years, I will work hard this time too."

This new release, the 8th mini album "7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused for a Moment in the Thornbush," is the group's first full-group album since all five members renewed their contracts with BigHit Music in August last year. With the members stepping forward as the protagonists of the story themselves, the album captures universal emotions anyone can relate to, such as anxiety and emptiness about the future. The members participated not only in choosing the album's theme but also in writing and composing the songs, adding a sense of authenticity.

Yeonjun said, "Because this is our own story, our level of participation and cohesion was higher than ever. This album reflects our opinions in even the smallest details." Taehyun explained, "Through long interviews with the production team, we talked about what kind of lives we live and what kind of music we make. The members' thoughts were all very similar. While thinking about what the most honest story would be, we unfolded the past seven years." Hueningkai said, "It was even better because we created our own story through the interviews. The process of turning our thoughts into an album felt fresh and amazing." Beomgyu added, "There were many joyful moments, but there were definitely times of anxiety and worry too. I wanted to honestly capture those emotions in the album."

Yeonjun said, "We wanted to include the desire to rise higher and the feelings of longing. We put those emotions into the album." Taehyun said, "When I knew nothing, I thought that once you debuted you'd become a global star. But the gap between reality and ideal was huge. Since this is a profession that is seen by others, there were emotions I couldn't show on the outside. Going through that process, I feel like I learned and grew."

Beomgyu emphasized, "I think there are worries that come when you keep doing something steadily for seven or eight years. This is an album made by adding our own narrative to the universal emotions everyone feels." Soobin said, "Saying it this way might make us sound fragile, but all five members are upright and strong people. We will bring lots of energy to this promotion, so I hope you'll look at us kindly," cheering with a fighting spirit.

The new album includes a total of six tracks: the title song "One More Day (Stick With You)," along with "Bed of Thorns," "Take Me to Nirvana (feat. Wan Vinida Weng)," "So What," "21st Century Romance," and "The Next of the Next."

The title track, "One More Day (Stick With You)," is an electro-pop song with an addictive and powerful chorus melody. It portrays the sorrow of wanting to hold on to a love that you can see is ending. The emotion in the song can also be interpreted as TOMORROW X TOGETHER's determination to hold on to their dreams and keep moving forward.

About the title track, Soobin explained, "It captures the sorrowful feeling of wanting to hold on to a love that is nearing its end. We will show you our sorrowful yet cool side." Beomgyu added, "The sorrow embedded in the song can also be interpreted as our sincerity toward our dreams. We will show our determination toward those dreams. We also put a lot of effort into the performance."

Taehyun emphasized, "The performance was completed thanks to Yeonjun hyung's many ideas." Yeonjun, who participated in the performance, said, "I received several choreography drafts and took part from the review stage. A choreography that suited us well came out. The chorus includes tutting movements using the hands and arms, and I shared my opinions, which led to a great choreography being completed," expressing satisfaction.

The biggest topic of the day was the contract renewal. Taehyun said, "It still feels hard to believe that it's already our seventh anniversary. I think it doesn't feel real because it is all so vivid, as if it happened yesterday. Our debut also feels as vivid as yesterday," adding, "Looking back, I think we spent happy times with the members. I think we've come a long way. Since there is still a long road ahead, I'm even more excited."

Yeonjun said, "Even in the early days of debut, I never thought we would become artists who could renew our contracts like this, but above all, I'm grateful to our fans." Soobin said, "I've gotten used to the members I have been living and breathing alongside, and discussing the seventh-anniversary contract renewal became an opportunity for us to realize how precious each other is. I felt once again that they are all members I am grateful for and love," revealing his heartfelt feelings.

The contract renewal process, he said, was smooth sailing itself. Taehyun explained, "It took less than an hour for the members to align our opinions. Since we all wanted to continue promoting as a team and be with our fans, it felt natural." He added, "We also thought that, for our fans, doing it early would provide more stability rather than making them wait until the seventh year. That's why Soobin hyung announced it at the concert." He continued, "Ahead of the renewal, we went to BTS member RM and asked for advice. He looked back at old files and spoke to us with such sincerity. He also gave warm advice, saying, 'It's already been seven years; you've worked hard.'"

Soobin said, "I had heard around me that 'coordinating with the company and among the members is difficult,' but for us, we aligned within an hour. It was also settled with the company early. They say cases like ours are very rare. In many ways, a good result came out thanks to everyone being accommodating."

Amid the candid confessions, Yeonjun also opened up about the burnout he experienced while moving between group and solo activities. He said, "As the burnout hit hard, I went through a period where I deeply thought about myself and the team. It was a meaningful time when I got to know myself as a person," adding, "It was a time to learn and listen, and it was a valuable period in which I grew one step as both a human being and an artist. Going forward, I want to keep the team going for a very, very long time and promote happily with the members."

The final goal they mentioned for their activities was "No. 1 on the Billboard chart." To achieve this goal, they would have to push aside their senior labelmates BTS. After releasing their 5th full-length album, "Arirang," on the 20th of last month, BTS became the only Korean act to rank No. 1 on the Billboard main album chart, the Billboard 200, for three consecutive weeks. When Taehyun said that day, "I want to be No. 1 on Billboard," Soobin also said, "If that happens, I would be so grateful." The other members, including Yeonjun, agreed with the same sentiment.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER's "7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused for a Moment in the Thornbush" will be available through various music streaming sites starting at 6 p.m. on the 13th. Following the album release, they will hold a comeback showcase at 8 p.m. that day at Hwa Jeong Gymnasium, Korea University. The showcase will be broadcast live worldwide through the global superfans platform Weverse and the official YouTube channel of HYBE Labels.

Reporter Jung Hee-yeon [email protected]