TUIDE Is Billboard’s K-Pop Up & Comer of the Month for September: Exclusive Photos

TUIDE Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) Congratulations on TUIDE’s debut! When the members first heard the group name, with its bold aspiration of “tuning and leading the tide of the music scene (Tune the tide)”, how did they feel? SEOHEE: First of all, thank you for celebrating our debut with us! When I first heard our group name, the new pronunciation and the unique feel of the word felt really fresh, so I thought it suited us well. But once we learned the meaning behind it—which made it feel like an even better fit—I truly fell in love with the name TUIDE. SEOYEON: Thank you so much for congratulating us on our debut! Since ‘TUIDE’ was a word that didn’t exist before, it felt a bit unfamiliar at first, but both the pronunciation and the meaning made me think, “This is so us!” As the first group to debut under the girl-group-focused label “ABD,” I imagine there was a strong sense of pride. Did that come with a sense of responsibility as well? ELENA: Personally, it’s an honor to be the first group to debut in the new label, ABD. We do feel a sense of responsibility, but at the same time we’re more excited to show a new color in this industry. I think each of the members really trust each other and also the vision for what our group wants to be, and that’s what gave us the confidence while preparing to debut. “GRLS” seems like the song that best captures the group’s identity. When you first revealed “GRLS,” what reaction did you most want or expect to hear? SEOYEON: Our first track, “GRLS,” is a song where the seven of us, each with our own distinct personality, come together to deliver our bright energy through a single performance. I think we really hoped that those who listen to this song would feel as if they’ve become our besties, experiencing the comfort and positive energy you feel when you’re with a friend! SEAH: The structure of this track is really charming, as it flows like we are each introducing ourselves one by one! So, when “GRLS” was first revealed to the world, I think a big part of us wanted people to feel each member’s individual charm, along with the unique energy we create when we all come together!! The first track, “ABD,” stands out for sharing its title with the label’s name. Is there a special meaning behind using the label’s name directly as the song title? JIA: The title ‘ABD’ breaks away from the usual formula where C naturally follows A and B, playfully imagining a new possibility with ‘D.’ We wanted to show a fresh and free side of TUIDE that isn’t bound by set frameworks. By blending warm R&B vibes with sophisticated electronic beats, this track confidently captures our unique sound as well as our very first step forward. TUIDE describes its musical style as “Soultronic” and chose “SUN KISS” as the lead single. What message did you want to convey to the public through the Soultronic genre and this song? SEAH: “Soultronic” is a musical style that combines the warmth of soul and R&B sensibilities with sophisticated electronic sounds! Through this style, we want to show our unique energy and flow through our voices and performance blending freely together! SEOHEE: Rather than being limited to a single genre, we wanted to express our group’s diverse colors through a musical style that brings various sounds together. And through “SUN KISS,” which embodies this musical style, we wanted to convey the message of trusting your own instincts and moving forward! GroovyRoom produced the title track as well as the entire debut album, and the title track in particular has music fans talking because of its Shibuya-kei vibe. What was the process of working with GroovyRoom like, and what’s the story behind debuting with this kind of Shibuya-kei/Soultronic music, and how do the members feel about it? YI HANI: Working with GroovyRoom was super fun! They were always so supportive and made sure we felt comfortable throughout the recording process, which really helped us capture the chill and easygoing vibe of the music. They also paid close attention to each member’s unique vocal tone and made sure everyone’s individual color could shine through in every song. I think that’s what made this album especially meaningful for us. Even though the Shibuya-kei and Soultronic sound might feel fresh and different, GroovyRoom helped us make it feel natural to who we are as TUIDE. We really enjoyed exploring this sound together, and I think it allowed us to show a side of ourselves that people might not have expected from our debut. The vast natural landscape of Iceland, which served as the backdrop for the “SUN KISS” music video, is very striking. Was there a particular reason for choosing this location, and what emotions did you want to convey to fans through the video? SAKI: Iceland felt like the perfect location because its vast and beautiful nature suits TUIDE’s music so well! I still remember how truly amazed we were by the endless landscape while filming. Since “SUN KISS” is a song with a very free and bright energy, we wanted to show our own carefree charm by playing around and dancing together in the open nature. We also hope that while watching the MV, everyone can take a break from their daily routine and feel like they’re traveling right along with us! The a cappella intro of “Echo” really showcases the members’ perfect harmony. Was there a secret to TUIDE’s vocal or performance practice process that helped you achieve such precise teamwork? SEOHEE: To be honest, as we kept practicing over and over, there came a point where we could get in sync just through eye contact, without having to say a word. Whether it’s our vocals or performance, I think much better chemistry and quality come out when we’re connected in mind first. That’s TUIDE’s secret to practicing! ELENA: I think the “secret” to TUIDE’s harmony within our performance is honestly practice, practice, practice! As we’re constantly spending time together, we’ve naturally developed teamwork to the point where even subtle eye contact can speak millions. I think we’ve also learned how to blend each others best qualities which helps each member shine, and also create a natural synergy within the group! “Flip-Flop Girl” gives listeners a pleasant sense of ease with its funky groove. You must be going through the busiest days of your careers around this debut. How do the members usually spend their time to maintain their own sense of ease and energy in daily life? JIA: When we want to refresh, we usually spend time walking through the park together or just chatting. Personally, I really enjoy listening to music and taking walks, so I often go for morning walks! Also, when my thoughts get a bit complicated or overwhelming, I meditate or read a book to calmly clear my mind. SAKI: We’ve been having busy days ever since preparing for our debut, but we still make time between schedules to eat good food and chat, or just relax at the dorm whenever we get a break! Laughing together with the members over small, everyday things really helps relieve stress and re-energize me. Yi Hani Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) I’ve heard that as the team’s youngest member, you always play the role of “energizer,” bringing bright energy to the group. Amid the nonstop, busy debut schedule, do you have a fun method of your own for lifting tired members’ spirits and refreshing the mood? Personally, my love language is physical touch, so I always make sure my members know they’re loved by giving them lots of hugs! 🥹💕 Whenever everyone is feeling tired, I’ll go over and give them a big hug, make some silly jokes, or just try to make them laugh. Sometimes even a little joke or a quick hug can completely change the mood. I think seeing my members smile gives me energy too, so I naturally end up becoming the “energizer” of the group! 😆💗 Seah Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) You’re part of the team’s youngest line, but you have the most hands-on experience in front of the camera thanks to your past modeling work. How has that experience been helping you now as you perform on stage and take on various concepts as TUIDE? Ever since I was young, standing in front of the camera has always felt completely natural and fun to me. Even now, whether shooting for our album or filming various content, I try to focus on capturing my natural self. Because of that, I can just naturally immerse myself whenever we’re shooting! Saki Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) Your powerful dance lines create a striking contrast with your lovable visual, giving you a strong reversal charm on stage. If you had to pick one “killing part” from the debut album’s performances that best shows off your energetic dancing, which would it be? I’d choose the rap part at the beginning of Verse 2 in “SUN KISS,” along the lines “We gon’ move like this, and like that …” I really wanted to show a cool contrast by pairing my low vocal tone with powerful dancing, so I spent a lot of time studying how to bring out the best in that section. It’s a part I personally put a lot of heart into! Jia Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) You’ve lived abroad in places like the U.S. and Switzerland, experiencing a variety of cultures. How have those diverse overseas experiences positively influenced your understanding of TUIDE’s music and how you express it through performance? I think experiencing different environments has helped me develop a broader perspective and become more open-minded. Being exposed to various genres, both musically and through performance, has also made me more curious and willing to challenge myself. I believe this openness is important in our team because we all have different personalities and perspectives. By embracing our differences, we’re able to understand each other better and create harmony, which I think is what makes TUIDE so diverse and unique. Elena Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) Within the team, you’re known for a distinctive tone that elevates the appeal of the songs. Among the tracks on this debut album, which one do you think best showcases your vocal strengths, and which part are you personally most attached to? Although every song has a special place in my heart, I think that “SUN KISS” best showcases my vocal strengths. The parts that I have add a sense of warmth to the song, and I feel that my vocal tone shines best in those parts. Specifically the part “Even in the night, dancing in the light, we stay …” has a really groovy but also soft vocal line that I feel suits me quite well. I think this line acts as a twist from SAKI’s deep groovy rap part, to a soft and warm vocal line, which helps create distinct contrast within the song. Seoyeon Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) Your background as a fashion model stands out. That kind of training must have been a big help during visual shoots like the debut profile or teasers. Are there any posing know-how or gaze-direction tips from actual shoots that you’ve shared with the other members? If you watch ‘Meet my GRLS, TUIDE,’ there’s a part right before the second chorus that transitions into ELENA’s part. At the time, we were waiting in the hallway where we had been running around, and it felt just like a fashion show runway. So I remember us having a lot of fun laughing and chatting together while I shared proper posture and runway walking tips that I learned in school! Seohee Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) You went through the longest trainee period among the members. That must have meant many moments of looking after and encouraging the others, both on and off stage. Based on the experience you’ve built up over the years, is there a particular communication style of yours that helps bring the team together? Being honest with one another and expressing ourselves openly was the very first thing I asked of the members. Through my years of experience in group settings, I realized that there’s truly no better way to grow closer and prevent hurting each other’s feelings. When living and working together closely, it’s only natural to occasionally feel upset or disappointed. But if you bottle it up or hesitate to be honest in those moments, it eventually turns into much bigger hurt later on. That’s why we always try to treat each other with genuine honesty and deep care as a team! TUIDE Image Credit: ABD (HYBE) You said the first album TUNE & PLAY fully captures TUIDE’s direction, embodied in the words “TUNE” and “PLAY.” Which track do you think best represents the album’s message? ELENA: I think among all of the songs in our debut album, “SUN KISS” best represents the album’s message. It not only highlights each member’s vocal and style, but it also naturally blends each member’s tones together, creating a harmonious sound. I feel that the track also really captures the free spirited and natural energy that we, as TUIDE, want to portray. YI HANI: My favorite track is definitely “SUN KISS.” The lyrics are really touching, and there’s something about the feeling of the song that feels so special to me. I also think the track captures TUIDE’s unique vocal tones especially well. Each member’s voice adds something different, and I feel like every part of the song becomes a “killing part” in its own way. That’s what makes the song really special to me and, I think, a great representation of TUIDE’s musical color. What kind of group would you like to be known as going forward? Also, is there a specific goal that’s uniquely TUIDE’s that you hope to achieve this year? SEAH: I want us to be remembered as a truly stand-out group through our unique color and energy! Also, we really want to get TUIDE’s name out there to as many people as possible, and a big goal of ours is to win the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award! SEOYEON: I’d love for us to be known as a group that “makes you wonder what’s next!” I hope everyone stays curious and keeps looking forward to TUIDE’s future steps, and starting with this debut album, we really hope all of our tracks can enter the TOP 100 charts!