[Dispatch=Reporter Kim Ji-ho] "We needed a new storm"

For seven years, we have depicted the growing pains of youth. In the meantime, the members have grown. Now in their mid-20s, everyone felt the need for change. They agreed that a perfect 'Perfect Storm' different from what came before was necessary.

So they attempted new things in both music and performance. The lyrics were not just straightforward but raw, and they took on the most difficult choreography to date. The fifth world tour was the same. They completely overhauled the setlist and composition.

TXT held a press conference at 3:20 p.m. on the 15th at KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul. To commemorate the release of their ninth mini album 'Perfect Storm' and the start of their fifth world tour, they revealed the behind-the-scenes stories so far.

"We've been making comebacks twice a year and now we're doing a new tour too. We've pulled off this difficult task. We've returned with an album with a stronger team color, so we ask for your anticipation." (Yeonjun)

Since their debut, TXT has consistently sung about youth. Now that the members are in their mid-20s, the keyword has changed. Beyond growing pains, they now express the pains of youth.

Soobin said of the new album, "It's a story that captures the youth pains of Gen Z who have passed through teenage fantasies and wandering and now face the weight of reality," adding, "We honestly captured youth that is not simply beautiful."

The new album's title track is 'Perfect Storm'. Taehyun defined it as "a phenomenon where two or more hurricanes collide is called a perfect storm."

Taehyun explained, "Lately, it seems many people wish that a very fierce wind would overturn everything. We too put that sentiment into the album."

The album contains a total of six songs. The turbulent emotions of youth are structured with different charms. This includes two new unit songs.

A three-member combination of Huening Kai, Taehyun, and Yeonjun presents one track. The title is 'Sweetest Escape'. They challenge the pop genre with R&B sensibility. There is also 'Touch the Sky', a minimal techno track by the two-member combination of Soobin and Beomgyu.

The title track is 'Angel or Bite'. Yeonjun began by saying, "These days, youth doesn't seem flashy at all. Many feel anxious, and there are those who feel like they have nothing to offer."

He continued, "In this reality, we expressed the desire to be with 'you' and to be by your side. As soon as I heard the intro, I felt like this was it. There's a freshness unlike any song we've done before."

Taehyun said, "Angel represents love, and bite represents the sense of deprivation and helplessness felt because of love," and added, "Even reality gets in the way of my love, but we still wanted to express that we will be by your side."

The lyrics are particularly unique and direct. Lines like "Even love requires money," "What can I buy my future with," and "Even if I protest, I'll be by your side" really stick. Beomgyu said, "I also thought 'What is this?' when I first saw it."

Taehyun also said with pride, "TXT is a team that stands out whether in title or lyrics, always doing something unique," and shared, "This song felt really unique even for us."

The vocals also focused on what 'cannot' be done well. Taehyun said, "Originally, we tried to produce a perfectly polished beautiful sound," and explained, "This time we produced a tastier junk food flavor. We hope you 'feel' this song."

They also prepared unique performances. They completely removed the killing point. Beomgyu and Huening Kai agreed, "The choreography also has a newer feel than the group dances we've done before. We found it incredibly fresh."

The members teased TXT's third signature love song following 'Zero to One Love Song' and 'Loser Lover'. Soobin said, "We received great love with those two songs, and we hope this will become the representative love song that follows them."

TXT opened the curtain on their fifth world tour 'Still the Wind' on the 13th and 14th. The 15th is the third day of performances and the finale of the Seoul tour. They are full of ambition and aspirations to create a new wind and steal the flow.

Taehyun said, "The most fitting keyword for this tour is 'new,'" and added, "We broke the formula and logic of existing tours. From composition to setlist, we've made major changes. It's not a taste you know, but I guarantee it's delicious."

Soobin said, "We're now doing our fifth tour. So naturally, a crystallized, somewhat routine setlist had formed," and previewed, "We boldly cut those parts. We reduced the talk too. It's a setlist that comes rushing like a storm."

Finally, we heard TXT's goals. Taehyun revealed, "The conclusion we've always reached hasn't changed. We always want to work hard on music and show good sides. This is something we must keep."

He said, "Over the past eight years, there has been a flow I felt while playing the role of player. This time, I want to stand out from that," and expressed, "I hope this album and song have resonance globally. I want to ride on that and do the tour great as well."

Soobin also added, "TXT is a team that can handle any conceptual or excessive challenge well," and concluded, "This album is where I felt that sentiment. We want to become role models for juniors and idols they aspire to be like."

Meanwhile, TXT will release their new work on the 16th. The world tour is planned for 33 performances in 23 cities. Starting from Seoul, they will tour Asia, Japan, North America, and Europe to meet global MOA. Additional venues will be announced later.

<Photos courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC>