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K-Pop Spotlight: ITZY

Their sneakers are laced up and ITZY is ready to take on the world in the only way they know how: as no one else but themselves. This week, we’re celebrating the five-member girl group and the release of their new mini-album CHECKMATE. We caught up with ITZY to talk about their favorite footwear, their upcoming world tour, and the soundtrack of their lives. Check out our full interview below!

How does the sound and concept of CHECKMATE differ from your previous comebacks?

RYUJIN: I think there are definitely more dynamic songs in this album, so I don’t think you can feel bored at all when you listen to our album all the time. 

LIA: The concept of the album is brighter and more active than before, so there are more various melody lines and energetic shouting parts! 

Outside of music, what are you most passionate about? Are there any hobbies you use to de-stress?

YEJI: I feel responsible for everything I’m given and work hard to produce perfect results, but I still want to grow more musically, so I think I’m putting all my passion into music! I get stressed when I’m not doing well in the process, but the pleasure of getting good results makes me feel really good.

YUNA: In addition to music, I have a passion for fashion, beauty, and food! I also go for a walk to relieve stress.

So, your new single is called “SNEAKERS,” but what’s your preferred choice of footwear? What would you choose if you could only wear one type of shoe for the rest of your life?

CHAERYEONG: All white sneakers for both! I think they really go well with all kinds of clothes! Also it’s my favorite.

LIA: Basic black sneakers! They are comfy because they fit well with my feet. They are good matches for all kinds of clothes!

What’s your favorite lyric from your discography and why?

YEJI: “I wanna be me”—this is the part that I like. “WANNABE” is the cool image of myself that I’ve imagined. When I imagine myself becoming the person that I want to be, it motivates me to work harder and makes me grow more.

YUNA: I like “WANNABE” and “DALLA DALLA”~ Because the lyrics talk about living my own life, not others.

RYUJIN: My favorite song is one of our b-side songs called “Don’t Give A What” and my favorite part from this song is the way that we shouted “don’t give a what!”

Congrats on your upcoming tour! What are you most looking forward to and can we expect any special stages?

CHAERYEONG: Thank you! First of all, I’m so happy and excited to meet MIDZY face-to-face. As for the special stage, we’re working hard on it! I think there will be a chance to see each member’s charms in detail.

LIA: I’m very excited because it is the first concert that we’ve been waiting for and we are preparing it while thinking of the overseas fans that we could not go and see for a long time. 

Pick 3 non-ITZY songs to make up the soundtrack of your life so far.

CHAERYEONG: “Into the New World” by Girls’ Generation. I fell in love with K-pop with this song. They made my childhood happy. BOL4′s “To My Youth.” When I had a hard time, the song comforted me a lot.  

YUNA: YB’s “A Flying Butterfly,” BLACKPINK’s “Pretty Savage,” and IU’s “The Red Shoes.”

Lightning round! Describe each of the following in one word: Who you are, what you value the most, and what you’d be if you were a plant or animal.

CHAERYEONG: My name is Chaeryeong Lee. I cherish my people the most! If I were a flower, I wish I were a rose! Because It’s pretty but it can protect myself by having thorns! If it were an animal, I think it would be a cat! This is because I like to be alone but also like to be with people, and I don’t like to go outside.

YEJI: I am HWANG YEJI. I am a person that cherishes and loves everything I love. If I’m not a human, I would be a rose!

YUNA: This is YUNA. I cherish my beloved family and our members! If I were a plant, I would be a tulip. And if I were an animal, I would be a rabbit.

RYUJIN: If I were a plant, I would be a daisy and if I were an animal, I think I would love to be a cat. Because they are what I like.

LIA: I am just an ordinary person that cherishes the relationship between person and person. If I were a plant, I would be a sunflower. If I were an animal, I think I would be a sloth.

Rest in peace to actor, opera singer, businessman, writer, and sculptor Paul Sorvino. While his acting career consisted primarily of mainstream fare, Old School Sci Fi fans will recall his performances as Eddie Valentine in “The Rocketeer” (1991) and Nikolai Rozhenko on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.