KENSHIN, SONG SEUNGHO & SEO KYOUNGBAE
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
KENSHIN
Last December, you secured second place on ‘Project 7,’ which led to your debut. Looking back on the past year now, how does it feel?
The fact that we were able to debut, stand on stage, win first place on music shows, release albums, and even hold concerts—I believe all of that is truly thanks to our fans, Closer. When I look back, I feel overwhelming gratitude and a strong sense that I need to work even harder. I felt that especially strongly after our debut in April. Whenever I hear the cheers from the stage, I can really feel how much support and love we’re receiving.
From the eight-track debut mini album ETERNALT, the act’s concepts and music drew a lot of attention. What did you think when you first realized, “This will be our music”?
When PD LEE HAE IN first introduced the “literary boy” concept while we were preparing our debut album, my initial reaction was, “This feels new—something I’ve never seen before.” As I learned more about the concept and direction, my curiosity kept growing. Still, I felt confident that we could pull it off. I’m naturally a confident person.
CLOSE YOUR EYES released three mini albums and showcased a wide range of tracks through live clips and performance videos, beyond just the title songs. Which song do you think best highlighted Kenshin’s charm?
I think the title track “X” from our third mini album showed a new side of me that goes beyond a cute image. We’re always given opportunities to participate in the creative process, and some of my choreography was included as well, which allowed me to express what I wanted to convey through the performance.
You also participated in the choreography for your cover of Fujii Kaze’s “Shinunoga E-Wa,” which you first performed at your Japan fan meeting, including a solo dance part.
All the members participated together. For the final chorus, I worked especially hard because I wanted the part I danced with Yeojun to feel more dynamic. I started dancing in my first year of high school, and I even learned choreography creation at school.
What is something you’ve learned from your members since becoming one team?
Minwook participated in writing lyrics for our third title track, “X.” I’m still not confident enough to write lyrics in Korean yet, but I’m studying hard and hope to write lyrics for our songs myself someday. When I write in Japanese first and then translate it, the feeling doesn’t always match the song’s style. Another thing I learned—how to separate recycling. [Laughs] At first, it was confusing because it’s different from Japan, but thanks to the members, I’ve gotten used to it now.
There are many foreign idols promoting in Korea, but deciding to move to another country is never easy. Despite that, when did you feel that choosing this path was absolutely the right decision?
I have so much energy! If I had stayed in Japan and become an ordinary student or office worker, I don’t think I’d be able to share my energy with others the way I do now. That’s why I’m truly happy that I was able to debut.
How would you describe yourself as a person?
I’d say I’m responsible. That probably comes from my energy and passion, but because of that, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to create great stages, so I practice hard. When we’re preparing albums, I also put a lot of effort into choreography and thinking deeply about each song.
Today, we’re meeting you as a Billboard K-pop Rookie. Is there an artist on the Billboard charts you’d like to collaborate with someday?
Stray Kids! They’re the ones who first inspired me to dream of becoming an idol. Recently, at the ‘Korea Grand Music Awards 2025, our seats were right next to theirs, and that alone gave me so much strength. Their stage performance was absolutely incredible. When we stand on award shows or festival stages, I know fans of other artists are watching us too, so we try even harder to show an energetic and powerful performance.
When does the youngest member, SEO KYOUNGBAE, seem especially cute to you?
It’s probably something fans don’t get to see, but sometimes in the practice room, KYOUNGBAE suddenly hugs me. In those moments, he really feels like a little brother, and I find him adorable.
As the year comes to a close, is there something you would like to say to the people he holds dear?
I hope you feel happy when you watch us. I’ll give you lots of smiles!
SONG SEUNGHO
After the ‘Project 7’ finale last December, you once said, “I was so nervous that I don’t remember anything, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget the fans’ cheers.” You also expressed concerns about whether you’d be able to do well on stage. Have you gained more confidence since then?
As my ranking continued to rise during the show, I felt insecure about my skills, probably because I didn’t have a very long trainee period. I worried about whether I’d be able to do well even after debuting, but my members helped me a lot. More than anything, the support from our fans gave me confidence, and I think I’m gradually doing better these days.
Is there something new you’ve discovered about yourself since debuting? Meeting so many people and gaining new experiences must have sparked new ambitions or areas you want to improve.
Before appearing on ‘Project 7’, I had never really stood on stage before. I’d never even participated in school talent shows (laughs). Because of that, I would get so nervous in front of the camera that my gaze would shake—I even went on stage without contact lenses because of it! But while preparing our third mini album, blackout, I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of gestures would look cooler depending on the camera angle. As I kept practicing, I started to enjoy it. Now, I’m much more comfortable finding the camera on stage.
As the team’s rapper, are there any artists you look up to or consider role models?
I study a wide range of artists, but the one I referred to the most was ZICO. I really admire his rapping and pronunciation. I also try to participate in writing lyrics whenever I get the chance, but I still feel like there’s a lot I need to work on.
CLOSE YOUR EYES has drawn attention for its concepts and music since the debut album ETERNALT. How did you come to understand the team’s direction?
From the moment I first heard “All My Poetry” and started practicing the choreography, I felt that this could become our team’s unique strength. I searched for many songs with a similar mood as well. Filming the music video in Spain was especially meaningful—I think I learned a lot there. Walking through such beautiful scenery together helped deepen my understanding of the poetic lyrics and strengthened our sense of teamwork.
Since debuting in April, you’ve released three mini albums and already built a discography of nearly 20 songs. Is there a track you wish more people would discover?
I really love “ㅠ” from our second mini album, Snowy Summer. Not just the melody, but the lyrics are incredibly cute and beautiful. I hope more people get to listen to that song.
The team’s first solo concert is scheduled for January. We’ll be able to see many different stages from the team—what are you most excited about?
The fan chants. When I watch videos of senior artists’ concerts, there’s always that moment before the encore where only the fans sing along as the melody plays. Even watching those clips makes my heart feel full, so if CLOSER sings our songs like that, I think I’d be truly happy.
Among the many artists currently active on the Billboard charts, is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with or share a stage with?
I think it would be really fun to do a joint stage with BOYNEXTDOOR. You can really feel how relaxed and genuinely they enjoy the stage. I watched their concert clips and their performance at the 2025 MAMA Awards, and they were incredible. TAESAN, in particular, confidently expresses the mood of each song through his facial expressions and stage direction, and that’s something I’d love to learn from.
Has there been a recent moment that really made your ‘closed eyes’ widen in surprise?
When I visited Hangzhou, I tried a food I’d never had before—and the taste was truly shocking. [Laughs]
SEO KYOUNGBAE
You once dreamed of becoming an athlete before applying for ‘Project 7’. Was there a specific moment when you realized you also had talent as an idol—a moment of certainty?
Yes, definitely. It was during my first year of middle school, at a school festival. I prepared a cover performance with my classmates. Because it was during COVID, we didn’t perform in front of a live audience—we filmed the stage and uploaded it for voting. Some friends from the school dance club saw our video and reached out to me. As I kept dancing, I realized I was actually good at it, and after performing on stage for the first time, my dream of becoming an idol gradually took shape. I also learned piano and drums when I was younger.
So in a way, you found a better dream. [Laughs] Even without a trainee period, you’re now showing strong vocal abilities within the team. Watching the behind-the-scenes video of recording “X,” your vocal tone and expressiveness really stood out. Which song do you think best highlights your strengths as a vocalist?
I’d say our debut song, “All My Poetry.” “Snowy Summer” feels playful, and “X” has a very intense energy, while our first album feels like a combination of many different elements. Even if you call it a “literary boy” concept, I think the meanings embedded in it can be interpreted differently by each listener, which made me feel it suited me well.
You’ve experienced so much since your debut. Looking back on this year, how does it feel?
I’ve really accomplished so many things. Along with that came a lot of happiness, but I feel like I kept running without even having time to celebrate or fully process those moments. Time passed incredibly fast.
When you’re faced with something new, how do you usually approach it?
I tend to overthink at first, so I try to consciously let go of those thoughts. I tell myself, “I can do this—let’s just try.” I especially try to think that way before big stages. KGMA 2025, where we performed “X” and “SOB,” featured a mega-crew-style stage that I had always dreamed of doing someday as an aspiring idol, so I think I had even more thoughts going into it. Even then, adopting a “let’s just do it” mindset really helped.
Spending so much time together as a team, what have you learned from the other members?
Before debuting, I vaguely hoped that even though I’m the youngest, I wouldn’t just be the “cute maknae,” but someone with a more mature presence—and that actually came true(laughs). Since all the members have different personalities, there’s a mutual respect and careful consideration among us. I think I’ve learned a new way of treating others through that. If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s our strong desire to improve our performances—we’re often left wanting more after being on stage.
What kind of reaction to your performances or stages makes you feel the most proud?
Without question, loud cheers. I think I’m very influenced by how big the crowd’s reaction is. When I was on a sports team, I felt exhilaration from the cheers after scoring, and even when I was in the dance club, the level of excitement—the “dopamine,” you could say—changed depending on the crowd’s response. [Laughs]
You have a solo concert coming up this January. What would you like to show through it?
Of course, performing the planned choreography well is important, but more than anything, I really want to freely interact with the audience—to run around, sing, and dance together with them. I’m excited to think about how we can show that side of ourselves. More than anything, I’m deeply grateful just to have the opportunity to show any version of ourselves on stage.
What kind of presence do you want to be to the people you care about?
I think I’m someone who constantly thinks about what more I can do for others and wants to give and share more. As a member, I believe becoming a reliable presence on stage is one way of expressing my feelings, and for fans, it’s about expressing my heart directly.