VAYONN Wants to Show That Youth Is Happening Right Now With 'Youth Today'

Rookie boy group VAYONN officially entered the K-POP scene with a message that sets it apart from many coming-of-age concepts. Youth is not something to look back on. It is something to live through right now.

The six-member multinational group celebrated the release of its debut EP, "Youth Today," with a media showcase at NOL Theater Hapjeong Dongyang Life Hall in Seoul's Mapo District on July 6. Formed through iNKODE's trainee project INTHE X Project, VAYONN brings together members from Korea, Japan and China.

Built around the idea that every ordinary day is part of someone's youth, "Youth Today" asks listeners a simple question.

"It's like asking, 'How's the weather today?' but instead asking, 'How's your youth today?'" Sen, VAYONN's leader and a former Boys II Planet contestant, said. "Everyone experiences youth differently, so we expressed those different emotions through different kinds of weather."

The five-track EP features title track "MUAH!," along with "Super Lucky Song," "Got It," pre-release single "Watta Day" and "Where My Youth Lives." Together, the songs capture different stages of youth, from first love and new beginnings to confidence, dreams and comfort.

"MUAH!" is a refreshing high-teen dance-pop track driven by bright synths and upbeat drums. Japanese member and former Boys II Planet contestant Masato said one lyric from the second chorus immediately stood out when he first heard the song.

"When I saw that part, I thought, 'This has to be my part,'" he said. "I could already picture the expressions and performance. It captures that refreshing, youthful energy."

The members also highlighted the album's B-sides. Chinese member and former Boys II Planet contestant Ayang described "Super Lucky Song," co-written by iNKODE CSO(Chief Strategy Officer) Kim Jae-joong, as a song that sends luck and encouragement to anyone starting a new chapter.

"When I first heard it, I thought, 'This sounds exactly like VAYONN,'" Ayang said. "We hope it gives people positive energy and a little bit of luck."

Chinese member and former Boys II Planet contestant Jinyu said "Got It" expresses the confidence to follow one's own path, while new Japanese member Teru said "Watta Day" encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and chase their dreams. Youngest and only Korean member Mano described "Where My Youth Lives," which all six members helped write, as a fan song meant to become "a place of comfort" for listeners.

The members watched the completed music video together for the first time during the showcase. Jinyu recalled filming on Jeju Island, where heavy rain and strong winds repeatedly delayed production.

"It was much harder than we expected," he said. "But after seeing the finished video, all those difficult memories disappeared."

Asked what makes VAYONN's interpretation of youth different from many other coming-of-age concepts, Teru said the group focuses on the present rather than nostalgia.

"People often think of youth as something you only realize after it's already passed," he said. "We're showing youth that's happening right now."

Masato added that the members spent a great deal of time discussing what youth meant to each of them because everyone had experienced it differently.

"Each member has a different color of youth," he said. "That's one of our biggest strengths."

The members also shared their own definitions of youth. Mano, who is still in high school, said finally debuting after years of preparation is his youth. Jinyu, who had never trained before moving to Korea, said, "My youth is starting now."

Masato reflected on the years he spent pursuing table tennis, saying those days of working toward a dream became his youth. Sen described youth as every irreplaceable moment, even the difficult ones.

"You can never go back to those moments," he said. "Even if they were hard, they're all precious. Preparing for our debut together is also part of our youth."

For Ayang, youth is found in life's simplest moments. "Having meals with friends and going for walks together. That's youth to me," he said.

The members also reflected on advice they received from Kim Jae-joong during training. Mano said the veteran singer emphasized humility and respect, while Ayang recalled one lesson that has stayed with him.

"He told us that even if 99 out of 100 people don't like you, as long as one person believes in you, you shouldn't give up," Ayang said. "That really gave me strength."

Looking ahead, the members hope VAYONN will become synonymous with youth itself.

"When people think of youth, I hope they'll think of VAYONN," Mano said. "That's the kind of group we want to become."

VAYONN's debut EP, "Youth Today," will be released at 6 p.m. KST on July 6.