[EXCLUSIVE] KEYVITUP on Their Identity, Meeting Fans for the First Time, Goals in Their First Year, and Self-Production
The Kraze met with inKODE Entertainment’s newest boy-group, KEYVITUP, fresh after their April 8 debut with eponymous EP KEYVITUP. HYUNMIN, TAEHWAN, SENA, JAEIN, and RUKIA sat down to share their ambitions as young artists, ready to be the “key” that takes the world by storm.
Q. Please introduce yourself, your role in KEYVITUP, and your individual charm.
JAEIN: My name is KEYVIT– [laughs] – my name is Jaein! And my role is the main dancer and sub-rapper. My charm point is my sharp jawline and nice physique.
HYUNMIN: Hi, my name is Hyunmin, and I’m the leader of this group. My charming point is my soft voice and…hmm.. my dimple, maybe?
RUKIA: I’m Rukia! I’m KEYVITUP’s main rapper, sub-dancer, and the youngest member. My charm is my deep, sexy voice when I rap.
SENA: Hi I’m Sena from Japan! I’m in charge of sub-vocals in the group, and my charm is my facial expression when I perform live onstage.
TAEHWAN: Hi, I’m Taehwan. I’m the main vocal in this group and also the eldest member. I think I have a unique voice when I’m singing. I can sing high notes.
Q. KEY + VITAL + UP: What does it mean to you?
HM: Our group name, KEYVITUP, is a combination of the words “KEY,” “VITAL,” and “UP.” “KEY” stands for the key that will open doors to the new world. “VITAL” reflects our energy and liveliness. And “UP” symbolizes the limitless possibilities for success that lie ahead. Together, these elements express our aspirations and confidence as we move forward.
Q. How would you describe your debut album to people who may be learning about KEYVITUP for the first time through your music?
HM: First of all, all of us participated in writing lyrics for our title track “KEYVITUP” and three of our members participated in producing “BEST ONE,” so we think our music reflects our identity well. We’ve been writing lyrics since our trainee days, and even though those days were full of anxiety and self-doubt, we were able to bring the grounded ambition and confidence that drove us forward in our music. Ultimately, we wanted to show and leave a strong impression through the true, raw identity showcased in this album.
Q. That actually leads into my next question, which was that I did notice that you were involved in the production of your tracks. I thought that was really impressive for a rookie group, and I was wondering what that process was like, being able to work on the production of your debut album?
TH: The start of it all was when our company asked us if we had any interest in writing lyrics or producing. All of us were very interested in songwriting for a while, so when we formally made a request to the company, they presented us with the opportunity to take part in writing lyrics. We individually wrote lyrics to every song and gathered the works to deliver to the company. That’s how our work was able to come out into the world.
Q. It’s been a week since your debut. How has it been meeting your fans?
TH: [Smiles].
SN: At first, promotions felt pretty challenging, but actually seeing our fans supported us in person. I received a lot of energy from them to keep going.
Q. Is their a specific goal that you have in your first year as idols?
JN: Since the idol “rookie” phase is limited, my big goal is to win “Rookie of the Year.”
HM: The “Rookie of the Year” award came up when we were talking about this topic amongst the group, but another one of my big goals since I was a trainee is to perform on big stages or award shows. Thankfully, we are able to perform at KCON Japan and KCON LA this year, so I’m super excited that one of our goals is becoming a reality soon.
Q. On that note, is there anything fans can look forward to seeing at KCON?
HM: It’s our first big stage performance outside of Korea. Since it’s the first formal stage where we’re meeting our global fans, it would be great if our fans really look into KEYVITUP’s versatility and unique performance. There may also be some special stages we prepared where we will showcase stages in our distinct colors, so we hope fans will keep an eye out for those aspects as well.
It was evident in our time with KEYVITUP that the five rookies were eager and excited as they begin their careers as idols. With a bright, energetic debut album, vivid choreographies, and youthful passion, there’s no doubt that KEYVITUP is a group to watch, a veritable key to unlocking new sounds and colors.
You can catch KEYVITUP at KCON Japan and KCON LA this summer. Listen to their debut EP, KEYVITUP on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Music. Thank you so much to the inKODE Entertainment Team for the opportunity to meet with KEYVITUP.
*Translated by Julia Hur