[INTERVIEW] NewJeans members reflect on 2 years in K-pop

“I think NewJeans is special because we are NewJeans,” says Minji

By KTimes

The group NewJeans, who debuted in 2022 with its self-titled album celebrated its seconds anniversary. The group quickly cemented its place in the music scene and broke numerous records on major domestic and international charts.

It has achieved rapid success, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts, among others, with all five of its albums selling over a million copies since its debut, showcasing its immense popularity.

Praised for unique concepts, music and outstanding achievements, NewJeans continues to make strides in the K-pop industry while maintaining a distinct identity.

The group’s recent fan meeting at Tokyo Dome on June 26 and 27 exemplifies its rising popularity. NewJeans performed at the Tokyo Dome just one year and 11 months after its debut, the shortest time after debut for a foreign artist to do so.

Despite being a weekday event, tickets sold out quickly, and even restricted-view seats were opened, drawing an audience of approximately 91,200 over two days.

The strong response helped its Japanese debut single “Supernatural” surpass 1 million in cumulative sales, reaffirming its global appeal.

According to the group’s agency, Ador, NewJeans continues to receive love calls from Japanese terrestrial broadcasters and additional performance requests from regions outside Tokyo.

The advertising industry also seeks new collaborations with the group. In this context, NewJeans is credited with bridging cultural gaps between Korea and Japan.

Having set numerous, seemingly unbreakable records and maintaining a strong international presence, NewJeans is poised for further growth.

Expanding its influence beyond K-pop, the group shared its thoughts on its 2-year anniversary in a Q&A format.

Q&A with NewJeans

Q: It’s been two years since your debut. How do you feel about your recent successful activities in Japan?

Minji: It feels like the past two years have flown by. Just when I feel comfortable on stage, there’s always a new stage waiting for us. There will be more challenges ahead, but I believe we can overcome them together.

Hanni: Over the past two years, I’ve grown to love and enjoy what I do even more. Preparing for our recent debut in Japan was genuinely fun. It was exciting to perform on new stages in a different country.

Danielle: These past two years have felt like a dream. I’m so grateful to our Bunnies (NewJeans’ official fandom) for making these precious memories with us. Despite the tough moments, their love and energy have helped us grow and learn. Time seems to be flying by lately, and I want to cherish every moment.

Hyein: It feels like it hasn’t been long since our debut. There’s still so much we want to do and can achieve. We want to continue showing our supporters various sides of ourselves.

Q: What has changed the most since your debut?

Minji: I feel like I’ve become more mature in my thinking. Although I still have a lot to learn, I’ve decided to focus on growing at my own pace.

Danielle: Although I’ve grown in many ways through experience and practice, I don’t think my inner self has changed much. I’ve also grown closer to the other group members and our Bunnies, and now I feel we understand each other even better.

Haerin: We have a new dorm. I’m really thankful to have a warm and cozy place to stay. Other than the change in living space, not much has changed. We continue to do our best as we always have.

Q: What is the most memorable moment in NewJeans’ activities over the past two years?

Hyein: I’ll never forget our first debut stage and the recent performance at Tokyo Dome.

Danielle: It’s hard to choose because there are so many, but the Tokyo Dome fan meeting stands out the most. It was like a happy dream. Despite being nervous for our first overseas fan meeting, seeing the Bunnies in the audience made all my fears disappear. It felt like we were one. The colorful binky bongs, the cheers, and the love from the Bunnies made it an unforgettable experience. Thank you, Bunnies.

Q: What makes NewJeans special?

Minji: I think NewJeans is special because we are NewJeans. We always enjoy the moment despite the various challenges we face.

Hanni: We work hard to bring good music and great performances to our fans. I believe those who love our music will continue to support us.

Hyein: We always try to experiment with new concepts and styles instead of sticking to one.

Q: Looking back at the first half of the year, what message would you like to share with the members and Bunnies?

Minji: I’m proud of the members and myself for handling the busy schedule so well. I hope we can continue to enjoy ourselves while taking on more stages and challenges in the second half of the year. I love you all! Let’s stay healthy!

Haerin: My goal is to keep delivering better performances. I’m grateful to all the Bunnies who support us and to my fellow members. They’ve helped me a lot, and I want to give back even more. It’s truly wonderful to have something to look forward to. Let’s keep doing well.

Hyein: I missed some time with the members due to an injury. My goal is to stay healthy and make meaningful and happy memories without getting hurt. Let’s continue to cherish our time together and create lots of happy memories. Thank you, Bunnies, for being with us. You are an irreplaceable part of our lives.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.