Introduced through iNKODE’s INTHE X Project, a pre-debut trainee project that first revealed the members and previewed the group’s musical direction, five-member boy group KEYVITUP have now put their first musical statement into the world with their debut, self-titled EP. Built around a hip-hop foundation and a strong emphasis on performance, the release introduces HYUNMIN, TAEHWAN, SENA, JAEIN, and RUKIA as a group with a clear starting point and plenty of room to grow. The title track, "KEYVITUP", is the clearest expression of that direction, while "Polaroid" offers a softer contrast and shows another side of the group's sound.

The members themselves are already taking an active role in shaping that identity, contributing to the lyrics and finding different ways to put something personal into the record. For RUKIA, writing the bridge of "KEYVITUP" meant making sure the words sounded like his real self rather than simply sounding cool. SENA approached his own lines through the concept's central ideas, while TAEHWAN focused closely on the rhythm and pronunciation of his delivery. Even at this early stage, the members are thinking about how KEYVITUP should sound when it comes directly from them.

The group's identity is also becoming clearer through performance. Away from home on overseas schedules, they have found themselves growing closer in the ordinary moments between stages, while repeated performances have made their timing and energy increasingly instinctive. HYUNMIN describes the moment the music starts as an immediate immersion in the song, while JAEIN says his focus and immersion switch ON as his playful side switches OFF. That connection has begun to extend beyond the five members themselves. When their fans – known as KEYPERs – first sang along, RUKIA realised that the music had become something shared rather than something that belonged only to the group.

Now, with their debut behind them, KEYVITUP are already looking towards what comes next – they want to make their musical colour more clearly defined while exploring darker and more experimental territory, with HYUNMIN interested in trying metal or a track built around a live session. If KEYVITUP’s debut established the foundation, the next release will reveal how much further they can push it.

For our latest Digital Cover story, we talked with KEYVITUP about their debut, the process of finding their sound, writing and shaping their own music, the chemistry they’ve built as a group, and where they want to take KEYVITUP next.

HYUNMIN Hello, I’m HYUNMIN, the leader of KEYVITUP!

SENA I’m SENA, the ‘creative boy’!

JAEIN A playful ENFP through and through, I’m JAEIN!!

RUKIA I’m the youngest member, RUKIA, and I want to be remembered for how I perform on stage!

2 Your concept plays with ON and OFF. What is the first thing that switches on in you when the music starts?

HYUNMIN Personally, the moment the music starts, I immerse myself in the thought that this music becomes me, so I think the first thing to switch ON is my facial expression.

JAEIN When I switch to ON mode, the first thing that switches is my focus and immersion in the song, while my playful side switches OFF.

SENA For me, it was the line, “Going my own way, following my heart.” Before writing the lyrics, we were given a concept guideline, and I spent a lot of time thinking about which words would fit best, so that part was particularly challenging.

RUKIA I think the hardest part was my bridge on “KEYVITUP.” I wanted to write lyrics that sounded like my true self. Rather than just writing something that sounded cool, I wanted to make sure my personality and colour came through in every line.

4 Which song on the EP would you most like a new fan to hear first?

TAEHWAN I’d like them to listen to “Polaroid”! As KEYVITUP’s music is intense and has a hip-hop foundation, I think this song shows another side of KEYVITUP sonically and lets people experience another side of us as an artist.

JAEIN “KEYVITUP”! As our first title track, I think it best represents the direction we want to take as a group and clearly reflects our identity, so I’d recommend that one!

RUKIA I’d like to make something a little darker and more experimental. I think it would be interesting to mix hip-hop with electronic sounds. I feel it could show a completely new side of KEYVITUP.

6 What is one moment since debut when you felt the five of you were really working as one?

TAEHWAN I think I feel that most whenever we’re backstage before a festival performance or music show when we are all gathered together, and I really feel we are looking towards the same goal.

JAEIN I think I’ve felt it more and more while travelling overseas for schedules and events. The more time we spend together away from home, the more we naturally look after one another, and I think that brings us even closer.

RUKIA I think it’s when the five of us naturally sync on stage. When our movements, energy and timing all connect, that’s when I think, ‘We’ve really become one.’

HYUNMIN We’re all around the same age, but we’ve grown up in very different environments, so I’ve realised just how different we can be. I think we’re now in the process of understanding and respecting those differences in each other.

JAEIN Each other’s sleeping patterns. I’ve learned that some members can completely pass out the moment they lie down, while others can stay awake until sunrise.

8 How are you different now compared to your INTHE X Project days?

TAEHWAN Since debuting as KEYVITUP and establishing a clear identity for the group, I think we’ve become much more united as a team, and we now have a much clearer direction for the kind of music we want to create.

RUKIA I think I’ve gained a lot more confidence. Back then, I was focused on showing people what I could do. Now, I’m more focused on enjoying the stage and showing people who I am.

RUKIA The first time KEYPERs sang along to our songs was really special. That was when I realised that the music we had created was no longer just ours – it had become something we could share with others.

10 What is one thing you want to do together as a group before the year ends?

TAEHWAN I want us to prepare our comeback album as soon as possible and finish our showcase even more impressively than we did for our first album!

HYUNMIN I want to introduce KEYVITUP and our positive energy to as many people as possible and let more of the public know who we are. I’d also like us to make KEYVITUP’s colour even more clearly defined through our next album.