Interview: & Team, Japan’s ambition to attack K-Pop

Launched in 2022 by the Japanese branch HYBE, & Team quickly became a key group in the expansion of the J-POP internationally. Thanks to members from various horizons, the evolution of the group in Japan, as well as its rigorous training in Korean, & Team embodies the new generation of Asian idols. With a licked aesthetic and calibrated performances, the group captures the attention of an audience seduced by the K-pop, while reopping the door on J-Pop industry, somewhat neglected in recent years. A daring bet, but methodically built by their agency Hybe, a musical mastodonte that nothing will ever go back.

Discover the group in our exclusive interview …

Hello, thank you for the time granted to this interview! Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

EJ : Thank you for this opportunity! & Team is an international group based in Japan, launched in December 2022. We are nine members, from various horizons, but united by the common will of “nine unique individuals forming a single team and linking several universes”.

Do you chain concerts in Asia, can we expect to see you arrive in Europe?

Harua: We really want you to expect us impatiently!
I had the chance to go to Europe for the first time during a fashion show last February (Editor’s note: for the Prada brand), Jo and I were incredibly happy that so many European fans welcomed us. We want to go and meet all the fans who have been waiting for us in Europe for so long and express our gratitude as quickly as possible!

Where would you like to perform?

Harua ：We really want to do concerts in Europe, and especially in France! As we have not yet had the opportunity to perform there, we look forward to discovering the energy of the public and especially the atmosphere!

What can the lunes wait (NdlR : fans de &TEAM) tour AWAKEN THE BLOODLINE ?

JO : We know that many lunes, not only in Japan but also in other regions of the world, have been waiting for us for a long time. So we worked a lot upstream to meet all their expectations!

You all participated in shows before starting as & Team, what has this experience brought you?

YUMA : I think that it helped us to strengthen the links between ourselves and strengthen our team spirit, especially because this kind of programs focuses mainly on collaboration and union between candidates.

At & Team, the members come from different backgrounds. How did you adapt to cultural differences?

NICHOLAS : It was difficult at first. But after having succeeded in identifying all our differences and improving our linguistic skills, the relationship between the members has strengthened a lot!

Do you think these cultural differences have helped you build your career?

NICHOLAS : Yes, these are our differences that make & team unique! They also help us to see various perspectives in our career.

You are one of the few Japanese groups to have promotions in South Korea, alongside K-POP groups. Is it a force or a weakness?

SUCH : I think it’s a force. Of course, being able to stand out is not easy. But we walk an unexplored path, which no one has really borrowed before us, and this new experience is truly exciting.

Who are the artists who pushed you to become idols?

YUMA : We were influenced by many artists, but I would say that BTS is the group that influenced me the most. There are so many great artists who have inspired us a lot …

Do some of you participate in the creative process of your songs and choreographies?

K : [Oui]when creating a choreography, I take care to faithfully capture the texture of music. And because I convince that everyday life and dance are intimately linked, I try to integrate everyday movements into our dances!

You will celebrate your 3 years at the end of the year, have you planned something for the occasion?

EJ : Each year, on September 3, we organize an event to celebrate our career anniversary. It is the “縁 day” (en-day)! During this event, we want to create unforgettable memories with the Luné. This year again, we are looking forward to it, and we hope that our luna is as impatient as us!

What are your best memories with the luna in the past three years?

Wealth: Among our many and wonderful memories, the “縁 Day” is undoubtedly one of our most beautiful memories. This is the anniversary of the creation of & Team, and it is an opportunity for us to present our new projects to the Luné presents. This is why we are delighted to organize this event every year!

Where does the name of your Fandom Luné come from?

MAKI : It is the acronym of “Light Up New Energy” (“é” with the accent because it is class). This means that, whatever the distance they find, fans always give us energy and illuminate us like the moon!

What are your goals for the next few years?

JO : As members of & Team, we hope to meet many luna during a world tour, after the one we play in Asia. And if I had to set a personal objective, I hope to continue to progress and develop my skills, while remaining authentic.

If you had to send a message to the one you were younger, what would you say?

K : We met a lot of wonderful people, so I would say to myself: “Do your best with your current skills !! »»

One last word for our readers?

Wealth: To all our French luna and all K! World, we – & team – Promise to come and meet you in France one day! We will also endeavor to become the best artists in the world, so we would be delighted that you support us!
NICHOLAS : Going to Paris has always been one of my dreams, so I hope that one day we can perform in Paris! Wait us!
Harua: Thank you for your constant support! We are sorry not to have been able to meet you in person yet, but we will certainly come to France one day! Wait impatiently!
SUCH : Thank you for your interest in & team. We will work hard to be able to organize a concert in France too!
MAKI : We are all extremely grateful for all the love you give us and we intend to put the double bites to be able to one day produce in France, in front of you. We love you! [En français] Thank you so much !

Thanks to & Team and Hybe Japan for this interview

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