TXT Describes Their Admiration For BTS And KARA, Excitement For Upcoming Comeback, Group Goals, And More

The newest cover stars for Esquire Korea are the handsome members of TXT!

Following their group and solo photo shoots, the five TXT members sat for individual interviews where they spoke about the group’s chemistry and goals, their favorite idols, their upcoming mini album, and tons more.

While chatting with Beomgyu, the interviewer mentioned his knack for variety shows and the singer revealed his long-running love of “2 Days & 1 Night.” He chose the cast’s chemistry with their guests as one of the show’s best aspects, which led to a discussion about TXT’s incredible teamwork.

Beomgyu shared with a laugh, “It definitely wasn’t like that from the start. Since we all came to become celebrities, we’re all people with strong opinions and individual personalities. So we really didn’t get along well at first. We fought a lot and everyone believed they were in the right. Over a long period of time, we’ve continued to find middle ground by understanding each other and being considerate. To the point where we can get along well, even if we’re ultimately together 365 days a year like this. I think other idol teams are like this too.”

Referring to the group’s performance at Lollapalooza last summer, the interviewer asked whether it’s more nerve-wracking to perform for people who may not specifically be TXT fans. Beomgyu confidently replied, “That actually makes me feel better. In a situation full of ‘my people,’ I stand on stage really happily, but I get excited in situations like festivals or where there are more members of the general public. It means there’s room to make these people ‘our people.’ I become more motivated and I feel really good.”

Beomgyu sweetly added, “I have so much pride in my members. I think the moment I feel most thankful that I’m in TXT is when we’re creating a performance together.”

While watching KARA’s iconic reunion performance at the 2022 MAMA Awards, Soobin wrote a message to fans revealing that he had shed a few tears. Confirming that it wasn’t just an expression, Soobin explained, “I did tear up. With my members adding to the story, it became misconstrued like I had cried for three hours.” Soobin shared, “In reality, I shed about one or two tears. Just for about a minute.”

On what led to the tears, Soobin elaborated, “Ever since I was younger, I really liked KARA. To be honest, during KARA’s prime, I was too young so they weren’t idols that kids my age commonly liked. Since my older sister was a fan of idols, she would always have music shows playing and I naturally started liking them. That’s why unlike my other friends, I alone was a KARA fan. I had waited earnestly for this [MAMA] performance and thought I had to see it no matter what, so while fixing my hair and makeup in the waiting room, I ran out and watched on the TV in the hallway. When the first performance began, I automatically teared up. They were my first loves. The first idols I liked.”

As TXT’s leader, Soobin was asked about his greatest strength. He answered, “Honestly, I don’t think I’m that perfect leader who is firm, decisive, and has everything drawn out in their mind. I recently said that I respect BTS‘s RM, but he’s seriously like that. In every aspect, the range of his thoughts is incredibly deep and he has strong convictions about his personal preferences and direction. I don’t think I’ll be able to become that kind of leader. Instead, one thing I can confidently say is that I’m a comfortable person. I believe that at least to my members, I’m someone they feel most comfortable with who makes their mind open up just with conversation.”

With regards to the group’s current goal, Soobin shyly and humbly shared, “This is too big of a goal, but I think a Daesang (Grand Prize).” The interviewer teased him for being so shy and he responded, “To be honest, even just last year, if I got this question I would’ve responded with something like ‘happiness’ or ‘health.’ But these days, my members work so hard. Starting last year, their ambitions began to grow so now we’re overflowing with motivation like, ‘Hey, no matter what, let’s now become Daesang singers’ and ‘Let’s really become a group that can follow up BTS.’”

Soobin continued, “I feel very proud and along with that, there’s an atmosphere where we end up working even harder. That’s why I think I’ve come to think like that and say ‘Okay, let’s win a Daesang together. That way we can become happier and healthier.’”

With TXT’s fourth anniversary coming up in March, Huening Kai was asked about the biggest changes he’s experienced since the group’s debut. He responded, “If I compare myself to when I was a trainee, I’ve grown about 20 cm (approximately 7.9 inches). My personality has also calmed down a bit. In the past, I was a bit more passive, but I’ve now become slightly more active. But if I’m to pick the greatest change of all, I think it’s my eagerness. I feel more eager now than when I was trying to debut.”

Huening Kai comes from a musically-inclined family, with his younger sister Huening Bahiyyih promoting as a fellow idol with Kep1er. On working in the same industry as his sibling, Huening Kai commented, “After just seeing her at home, I feel both fascinated and happy when I run into her at broadcasting stations. While she probably feels similarly watching me, when I see her make cute expressions or act pretty for the camera, my body twists up without me even realizing. However, I hope she knows that I’m always cheering her on.”

Ahead of TXT’s upcoming comeback with “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION,” Huening Kai teased, “For this album, the concept clips, teasers, and trailers all have a strong fairytale atmosphere overall. The narration that comes out in the trailer is the fairy Wendy from ‘Peter Pan.’ If we spoke about a boy’s growth and pain in the last series, I think you can look at this one as a story about a boy who doesn’t want to become an adult.”

When asked what he considers “cool,” Taehyun remarked, “The best thing about being BTS’s direct juniors is that we get to see them often and very closely. Something I felt most desperately while watching them is that there is an aura you exude only once you’ve accumulated experience. Even when they’re not dancing or singing and are just living their daily lives, they still look cool. I want to attain that kind of coolness.”

He elaborated, “No matter what, I think you simultaneously need a down-to-earth and warm side. If my fans find me uncomfortable once I develop that aura, there’s no point. I believe those two things have to co-exist to really be a cool person.”

Taehyun shared of his 2023 goal, “I want to introduce my music. I have quite a bit of music that I’ve made. I have a thirst for music that is not entirely satisfied by our team promotions. Of course recklessly showcasing a genre or concept that fits too well with our team color could be inappropriate so I’m finding a way to showcase my voice without breaking the image or story of TXT. For example, I think a mixtape could be a good method. I’m consistently discussing with our agency and we’re reviewing it positively. It’ll be good if you look forward to it.”

Yeonjun is well-known among fans for being a legendary BIGHIT MUSIC trainee who consistently came in first for their evaluations. He spoke about how this wasn’t always a good thing, saying, “While I always placed first, I nearly never got positive feedback and I was always tormented with the thought that I had to do better because I was first. At that time, being first meant that I could only go down,” adding that his consistent success occasionally put him in a rut.

However, Yeonjun commented positively on his nickname “BIGHIT’s Legendary Trainee” (“BLT”), sharing, “Ultimately, it’s a nickname I really love. While it’s true that there was pressure, it was also a driving force. If you have that kind of title, you can’t do anything half-heartedly. In whatever direction, it applied well for me.”

Yeonjun expressed his excitement and affection for the group’s upcoming mini album and spoke about acting in the music video, saying with a laugh, “I also believe my acting wasn’t too shabby. However, we had to do a new form of expression in this music video, so it was hard. Since it was a fantasy vibe, it wasn’t easy…but I think the end result came out pretty so I’m looking forward to it.”

Expanding on his interesting in acting, Yeonjun shared, “I did have interest. That’s why I even tried cameos, but acting is quite difficult. So I’ve currently decided that it will be better to focus more on my main job and then think about [acting].”

While Yeonjun has expressed his desire to expand into a variety of fields, including fashion, the singer explained that for now, he wants to wholeheartedly focus on his music career. He elaborated, “My main job as well as the field I’m most interested in is honestly music and performing. I have a lot of greed and am overflowing with ambition but that’s what is most important. More than anything, these days I keep thinking, ‘I want to become the best in this field.’”

TXT’s full pictorial and interviews will be featured in Esquire Korea’s February issue!

Catch Yeonjun’s cameo appearance in “Live On” below:

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