[Dispatch=Reporter Kim Ji-ho] When you think of TWS, you think of refreshing vibes. And when you think of refreshing vibes, you think of TWS. Of course, each track has its own distinct character. This time, they've added a darker sense of fullness to TWS's signature refreshing taste.

The title of this single is 'TO US', which is the same as the group's name. It carries consolation and courage dedicated to TWS themselves, who have been running without pause, as well as to youth living in this era.

TWS held a roundtable interview at a cafe in Gangnam on the 28th. 'Dispatch' met with the members and heard their stories so far.

"We're excited and nervous that TWS's music can come out into the world once again. We're grateful and thrilled to be able to create another precious memory with the 42 (fanclub name). We'll create many cherished memories together." (Kyungmin·Jihoon)

They opened up about their first meeting that didn't go as planned, memories that turned out great by following their hearts, moments of overdrive, and a future like endless fireworks. TWS is turning all their possibilities into reality.

◆ TWS and TO US

TWS's second single album 'TO US' was released on the 2nd. The oldest and leader of TWS is Shin Yu (22), and the youngest member is Kyungmin (19). They are all experiencing and expressing youth firsthand.

Shin Yu said, "This album is full of TWS's sincerity," adding "Through much deliberation and trial and error, we expressed what TWS can say without any pretense. We want to offer consolation and courage to youth through this album."

Jihoon pinpointed the album's keyword as "TWS's sincerity and courage." "We live in a world where we gain strength when someone calls our name," he said, opening up. "TWS also gains strength when our people cheer us on and call out to us."

"Even if we are anxious and unprepared, when we meet the 42, we gain the courage to throw our whole selves into it. We also want to convey this courage that TWS feels to youth." (Jihoon)

The album contains a total of three tracks: 'WE UP', 'Call My Name' (title track), and 'Heavy'. Through 'WE UP' they sing bold confidence, through 'Call My Name' they sing sincerity, and through 'Heavy' they sing consolation.

◆ 42! Call My Name

TWS exclusively revealed the music video for 'Call My Name' on this day. It had a refreshing quality different from TWS signature tracks like 'Overdrive' and 'First Meeting Didn't Go As Planned'.

By comparison, it's a bit more emotionally deepened from the maturity of 'Follow You'. The drum and bass rhythm rushes with intensity. Thanks to jazz pianist Yoon Suk-chul's piano performance, it feels lyrical and full.

Kyungmin said, "It was based on our unique genre, 'boyhood pop,'" and added "Fullness is a feeling TWS originally had, so we showcased that. We hope you'll feel that fullness at the climax of the song."

The performance is also eye-catching. True to the message, passionate choreography that seems to throw everything continues without pause. It's the opposite feeling from before. Jihoon smiled and said, "I did think the choreography was record-breaking in difficulty."

"This song progresses dependent on piano from beginning to end. We choreographed it to match that, delicately capturing the piano sound. We used a lot of upper body movements." (Jihoon)

◆ First Songwriting, It Went as Planned

Another highlight of 'Call My Name' is the lyrics. First, the label selected the title and theme based on interviews and thoughts from the members. All members submitted lyrics they had written themselves, and the lyrics by Shin Yu, Do Hun, and Young Jae were ultimately chosen.

The lyrics too are about youth. They depict courage to move forward without fear. They are filled with passionate confessions such as "No variables have any power over me," "I will be the answer to all of that," "Just call my name," and "I throw myself forward without fear."

Shin Yu said, "I'm honored to participate in songwriting for the first time," and added "I think the purpose of the album 'TWS' is the sincerity I feel. I didn't try to dress up the words. I just wrote down what I think."

"The message I want to convey through this title track is 'I will trust and entrust myself to you completely.' It's a keyword of trust and faith. I wrote about that theme, and the company adopted some of the parts of my lyrics that they liked." (Do Hun)

Young Jae said, "I worked on this song thinking of it as our response song to the 42's calling," and added "I used direct language to put ambition for the stage in the lyrics. I'm grateful that the lyrics I wrote after much deliberation were adopted."

◆ Year Three, Reflection and Growth

The cute boys in school uniforms who said "First meetings are so difficult" have grown. Now in their third year, they will face their fourth anniversary next year. They made their first steps into the music industry in 2024 and underwent many activities. In that process, naturally various trial and errors occurred.

Jihoon recalled, "From debut, I thought I didn't know myself when it came to pacing," saying "In the early days of debut, my heart was impatient. I was too busy jumping in without knowing what state I was in. Now through experience and time, I've come to know my strengths and weaknesses."

Young Jae also reminisced, "In the early days of debut, I ran looking only ahead. I seemed to be reluctant to look back." He said, "This album also carries autobiographical meaning. There's also the meaning of 'TO US' questioning our TWS. Going through the process of looking back has helped a lot."

Then, what are their concerns now in year three? Kyungmin said, "Being in year three, I think I've learned to let go of the burden and rush," and added "I'm thinking about how we can do our best in our own way without being hasty."

"Personally, I want to become someone who can confidently say I'm in year three. You have many experiences and feelings over time, right? I want to have the appearance and composure befitting my years. I'm thinking about carrying the passion of a new artist as much as possible with my original heart." (Young Jae)

◆ TWS, Higher with 42

The place where their dreams are realized is the stage. TWS successfully completed their first Asia tour from June to September. The tour, which started in Seoul and ended in Kaohsiung, attracted a total of 115,000 people. Their bond with 42, and among members, grew even stronger.

"When I couldn't believe in myself, a single word from my members became a great source of strength. I did a tour unit stage with Kyungmin. Kyungmin told me, 'If hyung does something, members and 42 will definitely anticipate it. There's no one who won't like it,' and that gave me strength." (Jihoon)

Young Jae also said, "When on tour, the setlist is always the same, so the urge to express it differently arises. Sometimes it's overwhelming," and added "At those times, the members fill in my gaps. Our bond is getting stronger."

The support from 42 also becomes emotional support. Han Jin said, "While watching reels, I saw many clips of 42 filmed coming to see us. I was moved." Do Hun also added, "When we're on stage, there's a sound that cuts through the in-ear monitors. We gained strength because 42 gave us cheers for every song."

Now, TWS dreams of bigger stages. Shin Yu burned with determination, saying "I really want to do a world tour with the members." "If I stay abroad longer, I think the time I spend with the members will be longer. I think we'll get closer, and we'll be able to give 42 wonderful stages," he added hopefully.

Finally, TWS each defined the youth they feel.

"Youth is something that seems to naturally disappear if you forget it. So I think people need those around them who awaken it in order for youth to last long. I hope TWS becomes a team that awakens youth for people." (Shin Yu)

"Youth is always within us. As hyung Shin Yu said, there are moments when we forget and go on living. But always, for everyone, youth exists deep in the heart. I think we can awaken it, and be awakened by it." (Young Jae)

"Youth is everything I run toward to achieve my goals. Whether it's difficult moments or joyful and happy moments, everything is youth. This album becomes the process of TWS heading toward the goals we wanted to reach. So, this album is also youth." (Kyungmin)

"Youth is right now. Rather than worrying about the past and future, it's important to work hard as much as we can in this moment. TWS will also work hard as much as we can, running to wherever we can." (Han Jin)

"The youth I think of is the most beautiful time when recalled. It could be childhood that is youth. But if when I'm eighty years old, I have the most beautiful memory from when I was seventy, then that seventy is my youth." (Do Hun)

"The season of blooming is youth. Just because it's spring doesn't mean flowers bloom; different flowers bloom each season. When someone blooms, that moment is youth. And I hope TWS was the process that made them bloom." (Jihoon)

<Photos courtesy of Pledis Entertainment>