NAZE Debuts: Inside C9 Entertainment's First New Group in 5 Years

K-POP's newest rookie boy group, NAZE, is entering the music industry with a seven-member lineup whose pre-debut paths range from professional gaming to competitive kickboxing. The seven-member act — Ato, Kaisei, Younki, Turn, Yuya, Kimkun and Dohyeok — released its debut mini-album, "NAZE," on May 4.

NAZE marks C9 Entertainment's first new boy group in five years, following the launches of CIX and EPEX. The team's name refers to the shifting geography where the sea meets the land, symbolizing the journey of discovering one's true self while keeping every possibility open. It is an ambitious concept for a debut, and the members are aware of the expectations that come with it.

"There is definitely some pressure, but we have been preparing tirelessly to showcase exactly who we are," Turn said in a recent interview with K-POPIT at the agency's office in Seoul.

The group has already built a unique pre-debut track record, including an appearance on a Japanese TBS drama.

"We spent a few months promoting in Japan before our official debut," Ato explained. "But of course, we are still incredibly nervous, and the excitement surrounding our Korean debut is unmatched. We want to introduce ourselves to local fans as soon as possible."

In the run-up to release week, the group's schedule has been packed, with extra focus placed on preparing for its first major television stages. "I've been rehearsing the debut tracks rigorously," Yuya said. "I'm sticking to a salad-heavy diet, dancing constantly and managing my weight."

Ato added that the oldest member, Kaisei, is the most disciplined when it comes to skincare and appearance management. "He uses face masks routinely and owns various skincare tools. He easily puts the most effort into his appearance out of all of us."

The diverse backgrounds of the members are one of the group's defining characteristics. Turn, the Thai member, moved to South Korea to pursue his K-pop dream and comes from an artistic family.

"My father is a guitarist, my mother is a singer, and my older sister and three older brothers all work as singers or actors," he said. "I've wanted to be an entertainer since I was about three years old. Music is in my DNA, so becoming an artist felt natural."

He also traced his K-pop inspiration back to SHINee. "My mother and brother are huge fans of SHINee, so I grew up watching their performances. That's when I realized I wanted to be a K-POP idol."

He added with a laugh that expectations within his family are high. "I feel pressure because I can't fall behind my siblings. I want to do better than my dad — I want to surpass my family."

Collectively, NAZE is multilingual, speaking Korean, English, Japanese and Thai. Younki, a Korean member, achieved fluent English without studying abroad, largely through online gaming.

"I learned English by communicating with international players," he said. "I played both FPS and RPG games and reached a highly competitive level. I even competed in an international tournament and finished third in the world."

He briefly considered pursuing esports professionally. "I wanted to become a pro gamer, but my passion for music was stronger, and the desire to debut as an idol ultimately won out."

His path changed after a middle school talent show. "It was my first time on a proper stage," Younki recalled. "I went up on impulse and rapped. I still can't forget how my friends reacted. When I passed the microphone to the crowd, they sang along with me. That memory stayed with me and made me happy every time I thought about it."

Meanwhile, Kimgun turned to music after an injury ended his path as a kickboxer. "While I was figuring out my next step in life, I listened to a song called 'Cactus Flower' (Seoninjanghwa) by rapper Don Malik," he said. "That song inspired me to become a rapper who tells his own story through music."

Although he does not hold songwriting credits on the debut album, he continues to write music on his own. "Given the opportunity, I want us to release an album where we handle the lyrics, composition, production and creative direction ourselves, so the credit simply reads: NAZE."

When asked about role models, the group deliberately avoided naming specific senior artists. "We respect and study many of our seniors," Ato said. "But we want to establish NAZE as its own brand. We talk a lot about showing our own color so that one day we can become role models for the next generation."

The rookies also have support from labelmates EPEX, the boy group launched by C9 in 2021. "Since our trainee days, the EPEX members have bought us plenty of food, like chicken and pizza," Yoongi said. "They've also sent us a lot of encouraging messages."

Asked what sets NAZE apart in a crowded rookie market, Ato pointed to the chemistry between the members. "Each member has a very different personality, but when we come together as a team, everything fits perfectly." He then laid out the group's immediate goal. "We want to win a Rookie of the Year award."

Kimgun was equally confident. "The rookie award is ours," he said, before adding another goal. "I want to win a No. 1 trophy on a music show."

For a label returning to the rookie market after a five-year gap, NAZE's message is straightforward: seven members from very different backgrounds coming together to create something new.